The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-12
SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICES
Reopening Of Meridian-Street Church
with Sermon by DR.. Gilbert.
Rev. Duncan's Farewell to Hall Place Congre-
gation-Dedication of the New Tabernacle
Chapel ON East Washington Street.

Meridian street NJ. e. Church, having been
closed for several weeks for repairs, was formal
IL reopened yesterday with appropriate services
The auditorium, beautiied by frsscoer, and
painter and artist was still further adorned
with numerous floral designs arranged with
much taste by the ladies. One piece within the
altar was presented as tribute to DIR. Alabas-
ter, the former pastor, recently deceased. AT
the morning hour a packed audience assembled,
tho delight of all being expressed upon their
countenances as they beheld the Transformation
wrought during their absence.
DIR. Gilberts sermon was from the text. The
glory of the Lord filed the house of God" II
Chronicles, v, IA. He discussed four leading
propositions: First, the house OF God is
product of religion; second, it is a monument Of
faith third. it is the rallying point of Gods peo-
pie, and fourth, it pavilions the special manifes
tations of God. In the course of his discourse
DIR. Gilbert said: Now and then enemies
proclaim that Christianity is declining. losing its
hold upon the people, and that shortly it must
pass away. give place to some new faith. Some
among are alarmed by these evil prophecies.
How shall We assure our hearts, and how shall
make the world believe that the Redeemer's
kingdom is not waning; that, on the contrary,
it is prosperous, and shall some day possess the
earth2 We might rest in the word OF God who
has declared that every knee shall bow to him.
But most of us desire some visible proof OF his
progress to a worldwide dominion. Where shall
for service. More than a hundred of them
in this ethyl Nearly six thousand in this State!
One hundred and ten thousand in this natlon
Remember it, faint hearted brother, In this Re
pub there is a house of God for every six
hundred of the population. Nor is this all.
Every time the SUI performs his circuit In THO
heavens thousand new sanctuaries arise
Within the past year six hundred temples of
Buddha in Japan have been converted to secular
purposes, while Christianity cannot get money
fast enough to build houses for increasing
worshpers. The religion OF Lord faiing
Every spire that pierces the sky, and every bell
that breaks the Sabbath stiffness testifes that
the kingdom of God is firmly established in the
hearts of men,"
The sermon ended with these words sThis
day we re-censecrate this edifice to the service
of Almighty God Surely, we cannot doubt that
he will accept this, our labor of love. As In the
ancient temple at Jerusalem so here we may
expect his presence And as we reopen this
house let open wide our hearts and offer
them to him. Know ye not, brethren, that
We are the temples of the living God.
This which we have done only typefies what He
would do in each of us. As we have cleansed
these walls and ceilings so would He purify our
hearts by the washing of water by the word
As we have made forms of beauty by the blend
ings of color and shade, so would He adorn
souls with the graces of the spirit. And, oh,
may the glory or the Lord ever fill this house of
God-this house made with hands, and these
houses the hearts of His people"
After the sermon, fifteen persons were ad-
mitted into church fellowship by letter, and
then came a most cordial hand-shakng, the
greetings Of friends after weeks of separation
and the introduction of strangers. Many fingered
to converse and congratulate each other.
The evening hour was devoted to praise
service and platform meeting. The addresses
were by laymsn of the congregation, the theme
being 1.-The Past, Present and Future OF Our
Church" Rev. T. A. Goodwin, the first speaker,
who had been connected with the So
cety for thirty years and acquainted
with it's history for half century.
presented an amusing picture of early Metho-
dism and outlined the changes that had taken
place to the present time. T. 2. Haughey
briefly expressed his qualification at the i'm
proved condition of the building James G.
Yohn referred to the hardships of the early set
tiers their sacrifices for the cause of Christ and
outlined the history of the congregation, fur
nishing much valuable statistical information.
Mr.. VIM. Bosom and Mr.. A j. Beverage
spoke the future of the church in a hopeful
way, indicating the favorable signs in the church
life The last speaker Daniel Stewart,
who in sweet and gentle tones referred to the
harmony which had existed in the congregation
for the last twenty years. Divided politically
and socially, and engaged at various times in
great undertakings, involving diversity Of opin-
ion, they had nevertheless been bound to-
gether, cooperating the spirit of brotheriy
love.
The house at night is, if possible more beauti-
full than by day. The elegant work upon thu
ceiling is shown at it's best by gas-light The
room is now in fact one Of the best lighted in
the CITY.